Some of the most popular trails in Washington are Fire Lookout Hikes. With just about 80 standing fire lookouts left in Washington, you truly have your pick of epic hikes to choose from. These lookouts were once used to look for forest fires, and now they are a popular hiking destination. Whether you’re chasing a moderate hike like Fremont Lookout, a short hike like High Rock Lookout, or a difficult hike like Mount Pilchuck, there is a fire lookout hike for everyone. 

I have been hiking across Washington on my mission to complete “100 Classic Hikes of Washington”. In traveling all around Washington, I have come across a fair share of historic fire lookout towers, and I am excited to share my top picks with you in this blog post. While some fire lookouts consist of beautifully restored towers, others are nothing more than platforms. 

The good thing about Washington Fire lookouts is that they needed to have panoramic views of the surrounding area. This means you can count on reaching some of the best views above the tree line in Washington state. So without further ado, this is a working guide to some of the best Washington fire lookout hikes.

Just a heads up! This post contains affiliate links, which means I could earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!

---

Guide to the Best Fire Lookout Hikes in Washington State

People flock to the Pacific Northwest in the summer to complete Washington’s Fire Lookout Hikes, and with good reason. These historic fire lookouts are perched on various high points throughout the state, offering panoramic views to search for fires before manned forest fire spotting became obsolete. Now, visitors can hike to and camp at some of the remaining fire lookouts.  

While there are about 80 remaining fire lookouts in Washington, here are the 17 best fire lookout hikes to add to your summer bucket list. I have included a Google map of all of the hikes on this list below.

Before hitting the trail: 

• Check weather conditions 
• Be aware of forest fires in the area
• Make sure you have prior permits and be aware of any extra cost involved in hiking these trails
• Pack the Ten Essentials

---

17 Bucket List Fire Lookout Hikes in Washington Map

---

Heybrook Lookout

• Distance: 2.6 miles
• Elevation Gain: 850 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Permit/Pass: None
• Camping: While there currently aren’t any restrictions for camping at the trailhead, the parking lot is located immediately off of US 2, which may invite unwanted attention. There is no privacy and no toilet at the trailhead. Money Creek campground is located 9 miles away and reservations can be made on recreation.gov. 
• Overnight Use: You can make a reservation to sleep at the tower for $75 per night on recreation.gov.

The Heybrook Lookout Hike is a phenomenal, family-friendly trail off of US 2. Drive carefully as you approach the trailhead, or you might miss the parking, which is on the side of the road. This trail is great for meandering through old-growth forests before reaching the final ascent up to the fire lookout tower. There are picnic tables at the base of the tower, which are great for anyone wanting to have a picnic or not interested in climbing the 4 flights of stairs to the viewing area.

High Rock Lookout

• Distance: 3.2 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,365 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Permit/Pass: None
• Camping: Located on a forest service road, you are allowed to camp at the trailhead. In addition, there are plenty of open areas on this road near the trailhead that you can camp at.
• Overnight Use: Unavailable

High Rock Lookout is known for being the “dog-friendly” Mount Rainier Lookout Hike. Since dogs are not allowed inside Mount Rainier, this hike offers phenomenal views of the mountain and the surrounding mountains on a clear day. This is a challenging hike, even for its short distance to the lookout. However, even with the steep ascent, it is the perfect trail to catch sunrise or sunset. 

The lookout is currently in the process of being restored. After it was decommissioned for use as an active fire lookout in Washington, it sustained vandalism. All that remains right now is the platform, which is still worth the visit.

For an In-Depth Guide to Hiking High Rock Lookout, Read Here

Kelly Butte

• Distance: 3.4 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Permit/Pass: Northwest Forest Pass
• Camping: Located off of forest service roads, there are plenty of places to camp along the way.
• Overnight Use: Unavailable

The summit of Kelly Butte has spectacular views of the Cascade Foothills. It boasts one of the best views with little effort. Be sure to hike this trail on a clear day to see views of Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams. This trail is most popular in the summer months, but if you’re looking for a snowshoe route, this trail is still accessible in the winter; you will have to add about three miles round-trip to get to the fire lookout! This Washington fire lookout was recently restored too!

Hidden Lake Lookout

• Distance: 8.0 miles
• Elevation Gain: 3,300 feet
• Difficulty: Hard
• Permit/Pass: None
• Camping: Marble Creek Campground is nearby. The forest service road that leads to the trailhead has no open areas available for dispersed camping.
• Overnight Use: Available on a first-come, first-served basis. Be prepared to share the space with other hikers, as it’s a popular destination.

Dr. Darvill originally led restoration efforts on the tower for historical purposes, not intending for it to become a shelter. Please respect the hard work and dedication put into restoring this historic landmark. Consider leaving a donation ($15-$25) at the tower to cover costs for the current crew led by Robert Kendall.

This strenuous trail in North Cascades National Park brings you to an old fire lookout that looks over Hidden Lake. This is a bucket list trail in the Pacific Northwest. As one of the more strenuous hikes on this list, be aware that you need to carry the ten essentials of hiking on this trail, carry extra water, and bring extra layers. At the high elevation of this trail, even on a warm day, the wind can be extremely cold.  

Read Next: Complete Guide to Hidden Lake Lookout

Mount Pilchuck

• Distance: 5.4 miles
• Elevation Gain: 2,300 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate/Hard
• Permit/Pass: Northwest Forest Pass
• Camping: Nearby campgrounds include Turlo, Verlot, Hemple Creek, and Gold Basin campgrounds. 
• Overnight Use: Yes, the lookout is FCFS

Mount Pilchuck is a highly trafficked fire lookout in Mount Pilchuck State Park. The hiking trail is open for day use only as of 2023, and the road has been under construction as of 2023, making the trail only accessible from the Heather Lake parking lot, which is a couple of miles short of the official Mount Pilchuck Trailhead.  The trail begins with a gentle grade and becomes steeper as you approach the lookout. The last scramble to the fire lookout is across boulder fields. 

While many people bring their dogs on the trail, it is close to impossible for dogs to cross the boulder field. Many people leave their dogs at the base of the boulder field, which I would not recommend. 

At the base of a large boulder is the ladder to the fire lookout, which has been beautifully refurbished with maps of the surrounding peaks and a trail book! Don’t forget to sign!

Read Next: Complete Mount Pilchuck Trail Guide

Red Top Lookout

• Distance: 1.5 miles
• Elevation Gain: 350 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Permit/Pass: Northwest Forest Pass
• Camping: Located on a forest service road, there should be plenty of spaces to dispersed camp.
• Overnight Use: Unavailable

Red Top Lookout is another short and spicy fire lookout hike. Don’t let the short distance fool you; you’re still gaining significant elevation.  Don’t worry, because there are benches placed throughout the trail! Outside of Cle Elum, this is a great trail to hit on a road trip through Washington. This trail boasts some of the best views of Mount Stuart in the state. Add this to your list for this summer!

Tolmie Peak Lookout

• Distance: 7.5 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Permit/Pass: National Park Pass
• Camping: Dispersed camping is not permitted in Mount Rainier National Park. Campgrounds within the park include Cougar Rock, Ohanapecosh, White River, and Mowich Lake (primitive walk-ups only).
• Overnight Use: Unavailable

Tolmie Peak is an extremely popular fire lookout trail in the summer months. Chances are if you’ve seen a beautiful sunset Reel or TikTok with a view of Mount Rainier from a lookout, it was Tolmie Peak Lookout. This is a moderate hike on the outskirts of Mt. Rainier National Park. The last short section of the hike up to the lookout from the lake is a steep climb, but absolutely worth it!

Fun Fact: I popped my tire with a large embedded rock while driving up this forest service road to the trailhead. Thankful to have a spare that made it back down the road. The forest service road is a very long gravel road, so drive with caution.

If you are backpacking Spray Park Loop, you can add Tolmie Peak as an optional side quest.

West and Oregon Butte

• Distance: 6.0 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Permit/Pass: Northwest Forest Pass
• Camping: Located on a forest service road, there are plenty of open spaces on the way available for dispersed camping. Camping at the trailhead is allowed with a fee of $5 per night per vehicle. 
• Overnight Use: Unavailable

West and Oregon Butte is one of my favorite trails in Southeast Washington. The panoramic views above the treeline are spectacular. I found the trail to be rather moderate. Keep in mind that this area was part of a forest fire so some of the areas you hike through are in a growth phase. It is still extremely beautiful. Make sure to have offline maps as you drive to the trailhead. There are a number of unmarked roads that turn off the main forest service road, and it can be a little challenging to know which direction you should go otherwise. The parking lot is large with a pit toilet and picnic benches, which was great for a post-hike beer. 

There are TONS of dispersed campsites along this forest service road. I highly recommend making an overnight camping trip out of this trek. If you choose to do that, please follow fire regulations and leave no trace principles.

Interested in this Trail? Read the Complete Trail Guide Here for Oregon Butte

Green Mountain Lookout

• Distance: 8.5 miles
• Elevation Gain: 3,300 feet
• Difficulty: Hard
• Permit/Pass: None
• Camping: Located on a forest service road, there are many places to dispersed camp on the way to the trailhead. Buck Creek Campground and Sulphur Creek Campground are located nearby on Forest Road 26. (You’ll be on Forest Road 26 before turning onto Road 2680, which leads to the trailhead.)
• Overnight Use: Unavailable

Green Mountain is one of the many 100 Classic Hikes of Washington on this list. It is also one of my favorites on this list of the best fire lookout hikes in Washington State. In the fall months, this trail turns into a gorgeous display of fall colors that paint the sides of the mountain. You can catch glimpses of Mount Baker from various points of the trail, which is always a beautiful sight. 

Take note that the forest road leading to the trailhead is not for the faint of heart. Drive cautiously and look ahead for cars driving in the opposite direction, as there are very few places where two cars can pass by each other without feeling like one of the cars is going to fall off the edge…. It is very fun!

Lookout Mountain

• Distance: 9.4 miles
• Elevation Gain: 4,500 feet
• Difficulty: Hard
• Permit/Pass: None
• Camping: The parking lot for Lookout Mountain is small. There aren’t any restrictions for camping at the trailhead at this time, but be aware that the lot is located immediately off of Cascade River Road, and there is no privacy or toilet. Marble Creek Campground is nearby.
• Overnight Use: First Come, First Served

Lookout Mountain is a HARD hike, not just in distance but in elevation gain. Due to the difficulty of this hike, it is very possible that you will have the fire lookout on the summit to yourself. At the high point, you can see Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan and the surrounding North Cascades. This is a beautiful lookout to stay at overnight, which would break up the difficulty of the trail substantially. Please note that, as it is first-come, first-served, you do not need to share the lookout with people who get there after you. 

Hot Tip: If you don’t want to deal with the crowds of Sahale Arm and Cascade Pass, this is the trail for you.

Park Butte Lookout

• Distance: 7.5 miles
• Elevation Gain: 2,200 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate/Hard
• Permit/Pass: Northwest Forest Pass
• Camping: Kulshan, Bayview, and Lower Sandy campgrounds are nearby. You will take a long stretch of forest service roads to reach the trailhead, which will likely have spots to dispersed camp along the way.
• Overnight Use: First-come, first-served camping is available. This is a very popular destination for camping, so expect to share the space with others(or don’t if you’re first).

If you do any hike on this list, make it is Park Butte Lookout. Located in the National Forest surrounding Mount Baker, once you break the tree line, you’re surrounded by epic views of the North Cascades. The lookout tower is located on the high point of a protruding rock. As you hike in the lower basin, the lookout stands prominently in front of you. The steep ascent brings you to this epic lookout. Since you can stay overnight at this lookout, be aware that it is first-come, first-served. There are surrounding campsites outside the fire lookout, but many people prefer to stay inside it. 

Be kind, be courteous, but overall, enjoy this phenomenal fire lookout trail.

Staying in the lookout is incredible, but it does get busy. I ended up sleeping in the fire lookout with ten other people. To say it was cramped is an understatement, but it was such a great experience!

Read the full Park Butte Trail Guide here!

Evergreen Mountain Lookout

• Distance: 2.8 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,425 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Permit/Pass: Northwest Forest Pass
• Camping Nearby: There is a long stretch of forest service roads that may have open areas for dispersed camping.
• Overnight Use: Available on Recreation.gov. Reservations open in February.

If you’re someone who will drive hours for a short trail, this is for you. The almost 20 miles of forest service roads take over an hour to get to the trailhead. However, this trail fully encompasses the beauty of the central cascades. Consider hiking this trail on a very clear day to get the full views of the surrounding mountains from this historic fire lookout.  For a beautiful, colorful display of fall colors, wait until the fall to see the blueberry bushes. 

Important things to note are that the road to the trailhead is closed due to fallen trees. You can still hike the trail, but you will be adding miles to your trek. You will not be able to stay overnight at the lookout as they complete repairs.

Fremont Lookout

• Distance: 5.6 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,200 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Permit/Pass: National Park Pass
• Camping: Dispersed camping is not allowed within Mount Rainier National Park. Available campsites in the park include Cougar Rock, Ohanapecosh, White River, and Mowich Lake (primitive walk-ups only).
• Overnight Use: Unavailable

Fremont Lookout is one of the best moderate fire lookout hikes in Mount Rainier National Park. It is perfect for sunrise or sunset as the wide trail is easy to follow even in low light…you should still pack your headlamp though! The panoramic views of Mount Rainier are breathtaking at sunset. The inner part of the lookout is closed, but you can still walk around the lookout. The trail branches off from Burroughs Mountain Trail, which I highly recommend as a non-fire lookout trail.

I’ve completed this trail as a sunrise hike and a sunset hike, and I definitely prefer it as a sunset.

Don’t forget to be on the lookout for goats!

Shriner Peak

• Distance: 8.5 miles
• Elevation Gain: 3,434 feet
• Difficulty: Hard
• Permit/Pass: None
• Camping: Ohanapecosh campsite is relatively close. This is the only nearby option.
• Overnight Use: Unavailable. There are wilderness sites next to the tower, which is a great option!

This is a great early summer hike for viewing wildflowers around Mount Rainier. While a popular trail, there is no parking lot; you just park on the side of the road. Make sure you stop at one of the roadside stops on the way to the trail beforehand, since there is no bathroom.  The trail is shaded for most of the trail, which is great for warmer summer days when you want to avoid direct sunlight. It is only within about the last mile that you receive full sun exposure. It is a narrow trail with plenty of switchbacks and no water sources, so bring plenty with you! 

Granite Mountain Lookout

• Distance: 8.6 miles
• Elevation Gain: 3,800 feet
• Difficulty: Hard
• Permit/Pass: Northwest Forest Pass
• Camping: Denny Creek and Tinkham campgrounds are nearby. There aren’t any restrictions for camping at the trailhead at the moment, but this is an extremely popular trail. There is a chance you could be asked to leave if you have a large camping setup.
• Overnight Use: Unavailable

Granite Mountain Lookout holds a special place in my heart because I hiked the trail to see the Perseid Meteor Shower in 2023. The lookout is in disrepair so you cannot go inside of the tower but you can still sit underneath it and enjoy the beautiful views of the Snoqualmie Area. This is a steep trail where the final ascent is up a large boulder field. There are two routes to the top, but only one official route. If you do not have climbing or bouldering experience, I would stick to the official route. 

There are some backcountry campsites at the base of the boulder field on Granite Mountain!

Want to Hike Granite Mountain? Read this trail guide!

Winchester Mountain – Twin Lakes

• Distance: 2.9 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,300 ft
• Difficulty: Hard
• Permit/Pass: Northwest Forest Pass
• Overnight Use:  First Come, First Serve inside of the lookout. There are a couple of tent sites surrounding the lookout.

If you’re trying to stay in one of Washington’s fire lookouts, add this to the list. Winchester Mountain is a phenomenal short and spicy trail that overlooks Twin Lakes. Twin Lakes Road is infamous for the terrible gravel road leading to the trailhead. To avoid hitting some of the gigantic potholes on the forest service road, many people opt to park at the Yellow Aster Butte trailhead, making the hike to the top of Winchester Mountain 5 extra miles one way.

---

What to Pack for Your Fire Lookout Hike

• Hiking Boots: Many fire lookout trails are rocky. Hiking boots will help protect your feet! My favorite boots are the Oboz Bridgers.
• Wool Socks: Wool socks will help prevent blisters.
• Water: Since many lookouts are located on a high point, there is little water available along the trail. Pack in lots of water. 
• Sunscreen: Fire lookouts are located on exposed areas in the mountains, making you more susceptible to burning.
• Day Pack: Get yourself a comfortable day pack for long days on the trail. I use the Osprey Tempest.
• First Aid Kit: Always pack a first aid kit with emergency supplies and any medication that you might need. 
• Headlamp: Hiking to a fire lookout during sunrise or sunset is, in my opinion, the best way to do them. Bring a headlamp like the Black Diamond Spot. 
• Rain Jacket: The weather can change quickly in Washington. Bring a rain jacket just in case. Also, if there are a million mosquitoes on the trail, rain jackets will prevent bites.
• Snacks: Bring plenty of food on the trip! Between the exertion and the sun, you will burn lots of calories. Avoid feeling sick on the trail by bringing protein-packed snacks.

---

Pack It Up

Washington’s Fire Lookout Hikes are going to become your favorite hikes in the state. Whether you’re seeking a short hike like Heybrook Lookout and want to spend the night in Park Butte, these trails are popular for a reason, they’re spectacular. These are some of the best fire lookout hikes in Washington State, but there are so many more out there to explore. 

If you want to look at a complete list of Fire Lookouts in Washington, click here. 

As always, leave no trace at these beautiful sites. Preservation of these historic fire lookouts is a community effort and you can help! 

Enjoy these beautiful trails and happy hiking!